Vail Valley Voice: Reliance grows on Mexico

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Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the Vail Homeowners Association monthly report. We publish weekly excerpts from the association, which keeps a close eye on economic and political trends in and outside of the town. The newsletter electronic version with links to supporting documents is available at www.vail

The dynamics of the national election have settled, for the time being, the shape of the American partisan political landscape.

In 2013 globally, according to some analysts, China will be increasing government-funded stimulus, which may be the lynchpin in holding back other teetering parts of the world from recession, giving them time to make structural financial reforms.

For the foreseeable future, U.S. policy makers will be burdened with making debt-adverse choices in the aftermath of the great recession.

Traditional economic models are being put to the test and, as some say, their application is slowing and prolonging a recovery. Some economists believe that what the United States needs is an infusion of foreign capital investment and an increase in immigrant workers to replace an aging work force. Vail has historically benefited from this strategy, particularly with respect to Mexico.

The effect of changes in Mexico's economy can be seen at work today in Vail's local economy. Mexico has become one of Vail's biggest international markets. It is now the leading growth economy in Latin America.

Vail is benefiting from the country's economic advancement through a growth in winter and summer tourism, business investment in real estate and a bilingual work force.

Immigration to the United States from Mexico has gone into reverse, largely due to economic conditions in each country. Border controls are tightening. There are opportunities and advantages to increasing two-way legal immigration for citizens between the countries, having mutual economic benefit for both.

Colorado voters created a gateway for a national debate to occur through their approval of a ballot measure to decriminalize and tax the sale of marijuana.

If successful, it could help lessen the violence in northern Mexico, where an estimated 40 percent of the county's poorest live, opening their chances to become part of Mexico's burgeoning new middle class.

Vail is taking steps to increase tourism business from Mexico. Perhaps Vail could play a more important role, becoming a center where business and governmental leaders from both countries negotiate social progress to be gained through opportunities found in the economic resolutions of conflicts.